A HEAD teacher has been arrested on suspicion of theft and deception.

Curry Rivel Church of England School head David Foot, 44, was arrested by Avon and Somerset police last Thursday after the allegations were made against him.

A police spokesman said: "A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and deception, and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries."

However, the police would not discuss the nature of the claims, which are thought to be linked to one of Mr Foot's previous head teacher posts and follow an investigation by the Local Education Authority.

Mr Foot, who lives in the Yeovil area, has been head teacher at the school for just under a year, starting at Easter, 2005. He previously worked at West Coker Primary School.

A spokesman for Somerset County Council, the local education authority, said: "We can confirm that the police are investigating the matter concerning a Somerset County Council primary school head teacher.

"We can't comment on the matter under investigation except to say that it's not related to child protection.

"We're unable to comment further until the police investigation has been completed.

"The county council and the LEA will co-operate with the police as appropriate in order to bring this situation to a swift conclusion."

Mr Foot is not working at present and will be off work until the investigation is complete.

The council said: "The LEA is providing support to the deputy head and will continue to do so until the matter is resolved."

The Bath & Wells Diocese is refusing to comment on the matter at the moment.

Mr Foot has been bailed until a later date while police inquiries continue.